Finals week is on the horizon. The library is going into full 24 hour study mode starting this weekend. Much like every university in the country, Loyola has set aside official study days.

Unlike other universities in the country, Loyola is not setting aside week days for studying; Loyola has declared the Saturday and Sunday before finals week as its official study days.

For those of you not paying attention, Loyola is not in session on Saturday or Sunday; therefore, Loyola is not setting aside anything beyond what already happens every week.

While this action is consistent with Tulane, many other major universities have finals preparation days.

Louisiana State University has set aside three days in addition to the weekend before finals week for students to prepare for their examinations. These days are termed “concentrated study days” and during them no athletic events or major tests may be given. This provides the students with no distractions.

The University of Texas has two no class days on the Monday and Tuesday before exams and then has a one-day break in the middle of finals week.

Fellow Jesuit university Georgetown puts campus life to a halt for a four-day weekend of studying.

Many finals count for as much as 50 percent of a student’s final grade. That sort of weight deserves to be taken seriously in the study rooms.

On top of examinations many classes assign projects. Budgeting time to both study for final examinations and complete projects is certainly a balancing act. For this reason, the university should provide study days.

As per the example at LSU, this is also a much appreciated break for student athletes. The Loyola women’s basketball team has a game the Saturday before finals week. Is this fair for those athletes?

Loyola should set aside at least one full day for studying. The students are paying for this education and deserve the same studying courtesies other schools provide.